WEST WINDSOR, N.J. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF Varsity Eight was named the American Athletic Conference Boat of the Year, as announced by the league office on Thursday.
The boat consists of Olivia Hecimovich, Ashleigh Boyd, Claudia Destefani, Julie Poulsen, Lauren Aiello, Zana Krakic, Marija Medelinskaite, Viktorija Senkute and Mia Cleary.
The squad posted its second-fastest time of the season and the fastest finals mark at The American Championship on May 13. In the final race of the day, the boat finished more than two seconds ahead of second place Tulsa to complete the sweep of all six events.
The Varsity Eight collected six victories on the season, and never finished lower than third place while racing Top 25 opponents at the Longhorn Invite, Lake Natoma Invite and Clemson Invitational.
UCF's V8 was named The American Boat of the Week twice this season, on March 21 and April 4.
Thursday's award marks the third consecutive year that UCF has earned Boat of the Year honors. In 2015, the UCF Varsity Eight received the distinction, while the Second Varsity Eight earned the accolade in 2016.
UCF begins NCAA Championships action on Friday. The Varsity Eight opens the day at 9 a.m., followed by the Second Varsity Eight at 10:24 a.m. and the Varsity Four at 10:48 a.m.